Sometimes a child may lose a tooth before their adult teeth are ready to grow in. It may not seem like a problem at the moment, but it can lead to more problems if not maintained properly. Your dentist can place a space maintainer in your child’s mouth to ensure that their adult teeth will grow in properly.
What Is a Space Maintainer?
A space maintainer is a device used to leave enough space open for permanent teeth to grow in after baby teeth are lost prematurely. Not taking care of a gap can lead to expensive problems down the road. There are many reasons that a child may lose baby teeth prematurely including, trauma, accidents, or tooth decay. There are several types of space maintainers. Depending on the situation, your dentist will recommend a suitable space maintainer for your child.
Are Space Maintainers Necessary?
One important function of a baby tooth is to reserve space for the adult tooth. If a baby tooth falls out prematurely, the empty space may cause adult teeth to become crooked as they grow in. If your child has lost a tooth prematurely, consult with your dentist to see if your child needs a space maintainer.
